THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is considering mobilizing its financing arm, the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.), to provide P2-3 billion to small exporters affected by US tariffs.
“Actually, (financing small exporters) is a good idea. We can talk about that, as we do not have that loan program in place yet,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the Turismo Asenso Loan Awarding Ceremony on Monday.
“It will be easy because I (chair) SBCorp.,” she added, estimating the size of the package at at least P2-3 billion.
“I will check, but it should be a bit big, like at least P2 billion or P3 billion,” she added.
The US imposed a 19% reciprocal tariff on shipments of Philippine goods, likely degrading the competitiveness of the export sector.
She said SB Corp. received an additional P1.5-billion allocation from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), bringing its loanable funds to P11.5 billion.
She also said that the department will seek more funding for SB Corp. next year on top of the P1.5 billion provided by the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2026.
The NEP is a document prepared by the Executive branch outlining its spending plans, which are subject to adjustment when the budget bill is legislated.
On Monday, the DTI and the Department of Tourism (DoT) launched the Turismo Asenso Loan Program aimed at helping tourism MSMEs in expanding their operations.
During the event, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. presided over the awarding of loans to nine tourism beneficiaries, including wellness spas, resorts, and travel and tour agencies from Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Manila.
In a statement on Monday, the DoT said that the approved amounts ranged from P150,000 to P1 million.
“They are Reluxx Body and Wellness Spa, Pressure Point Wellness and Spa, S.E.AL Travel and Tours, Robles Resort, Imassage De Cavite Wellness Spa, Sense Body Massage Spa, Lavmemar Travel and Tours, Landsafe Travel and Tours Agency, and Silverscape Travel and Tours,” it added.
The Turismo Asenso Loan stemmed from a memorandum of agreement signed between the DTI and DoT on April 7.
“By empowering our MSMEs, we are fostering economic stability, generating sustainable employment opportunities, and strengthening the fabric of our communities,” Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said.
“When tourism and trade flourish, so does the livelihood of our fellow Filipinos, creating a ripple effect of prosperity and growth that will be felt across the nation,” she added.
The loan facility will be available for businesses with at least 60% Filipino ownership, assets not exceeding P100 million, with at least a year’s track record, with no past due accounts owed to SBCorp. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
